Posts Tagged ‘Habitat’
Enjoyable State Game Areas
Michigan is in full bloom, everything is green, and the weather is wonderful. Summer is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. There are many ways to enjoy nature, such as bird watching, hiking, foraging, fishing and boating. The presence of protected wildlife areas gives us access to these activities and protects wilderness for years…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Enhance Game Bird Habitat at Potterville State Game Area
This past Saturday, April 30, 2022, 9 On the Ground volunteers gathered at the south entrance of Potterville State Game Area (SGA) to assist Eaton Conservation District in planting 270 native trees and shrubs. The Potterville SGA is a relatively new land acquisition by the MI DNR and was purchased under the Michigan Natural Resources…
Read MoreNative Plant Gardens
Last Saturday MUCC’s OTG program planted 275 shrubs and trees at Potterville SGA. Currently, the area is being managed for wetlands. American hazelnut, buttonbush, highbush cranberry and two dogwood varieties were planted across 8 acres in the SGA. Besides bringing the area closer to its goal, the species planted are utilized by wildlife. Not only…
Read MoreThe History of Arbor Day
This Friday, April 29, is the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. A day dedicated to the appreciation and care of trees. Most people spend the time planting trees or teaching about their importance, but the holiday can be celebrated in many different ways. Some hold a ceremony recognizing stewards in the community, some clean up…
Read MoreThe History of Earth Day
Earth day was created as a community-based change confronting pressing environmental concerns. In 1970, the year of the first Earth Day, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire due to the high concentration of pollutants, the coast of Santa Barbra was covered in oil, DDT was reducing the population of songbirds and raptors and whales were…
Read MoreOTG Jr. Kicked-Off at Denmark Twp State Game Area Last Week
MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) kicked off last week at the Denmark Township State Game Area (SGA) with two groups of students from Reese Middle and High School’s Out-of-Doors Club. Student volunteers worked in teams to remove invasive woody vegetation and stack brush into piles that will serve as “rabbitat.” The ultimate goal…
Read MoreThe Great Grasslands of Michigan
Grasslands provide many amazing ecological functions. A wide range of different grassland community types is found across Michigan. Sadly, due to a misguided viewpoint from the 60s, fires as a management tool have been suppressed across the region. This lack of fire has allowed trees and woody vegetation to take over many grasslands. Common culprits…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Clean-Up the Clinton River at River Bends Park
Last Saturday, April 9, 2022, a group of 25 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program (OTG), Metro-West Steelheaders and Clinton River Watershed Council in a morning of picking up trash in and around the Clinton River at River Bends Park. Volunteers picked-up and properly disposed of over 25 large bags of trash, multiple tires,…
Read MoreJoin Us for a Day of Planting Jack Pines to Benefit Kirtland’s Warblers
On Saturday, May 7, 2022, Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance (KWA) is hosting a Jack Pine Planting Day in partnership with MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program and Huron Pines of Michigan. Join us in planting jack pines to improve Kirtland’s warbler habitat at a site in St Helen, MI (Richfield Twp). Please register for this event…
Read MoreManaging For Oak Wilt Workshop
A prevalent invasive species is affecting Michigan oak trees. Oak wilt is a devastating disease carried by burrowing insects and spread through root systems. It attacks the vascular system of the tree and is fatal for all species in the oak group. The leaves of the infected tree start to wilt and discolor, eventually dropping.…
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